Kenyan retirees promise of a dignified retirement has too often ended in frustration years after leaving formal employment, some discover that the pension contributions deducted faithfully from their payslips were never remitted to their retirement schemes. The delays, and in some cases complete failure, to release retirement funds have become a long-running source of anxiety among the people who have helped grow thhe economy, eroding trust in the country’s pension system. That frustration is now driving a major policy shift with the government considering changes that would bring the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) into the heart of pension collection, making…
Author: NBM CORRESPONDENT
Download Nairobi Business Monthly Magazine – Jan/Feb 2026 Edition SPECIAL PRICE: Ksh 150 ONLY (was Ksh 200) COVER STORY: “Why KRA is itching to raid your bank account” — The taxman now has power to tax unexplained deposits. We sat down with KRA’s head of legal services for the full exposé. INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Sh1.9 BILLION BROKER WAR: How bitter battle between new NSE CEO and brokers almost triggered stock market collapse (Page 28) KENYA PIPELINE IPO: Sh106 billion listing + Safaricom share sale lifts NSE to historic high (Page 32) DIAGEO IN COURT: Damning Sh3 billion suit over abuse…
CIC Insurance Group is moving away from its traditional “land-heavy” balance sheet to embrace a more liquid financial model. This transformation is currently centered on the disposal of non-core real estate assets in areas such as Kiambu and Kajiado. CIC is selling 200 acres near Tatu City, Kiambu and 495 acres in Kajiado. The Nairobi-based underwriter is now focused on subdividing 200 acres of prime land located near the burgeoning Tatu City. This project, branded as Ushirika Gardens, represents a sophisticated pivot from the company’s initial attempts to sell the land as one block. Management recognized that the market for…
Ecobank Kenya has announced a major executive leadership transition with the appointment of Rebecca Mbithi as the new Managing Director, effective February 9, 2026, subject to regulatory approval, marking a significant milestone in the bank’s strategic growth journey. The appointment sees Mbithi succeed Josephine Anan-Ankomah, who has stepped down from the role to concentrate fully on her broader responsibilities as Regional Executive for Central, Eastern and Southern Africa (CESA) within the Ecobank Group. The leadership change comes at a time when Ecobank Kenya is accelerating its expansion strategy, strengthening digital banking platforms, and deepening its footprint across key market segments.…
The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) has declared a 17% return for its contributors for the financial year 2024 -2025 up from 11% in the last financial year 2023-2024. Despite a tough economic environment, NSSF recorded one of its strongest performances to date. Member contributions rose from the previous year by 35% to KES 84 billion, while total assets grew to approximately KES 575 billion, representing growth of over 43%. Investment income more than doubled, delivering a gross return of about 22%, with operating costs maintained at around 1.47%, within the statutory limit. Speaking during the 8th Annual General Meeting,…
Every night before going to bed, 27-year-old Nancy Liu places a small, warm device beside her pillow. It breathes softly, responds when she speaks, and remembers how her mood shifts from one day to the next. “It feels like something is waiting for me,” she said. “Not judging, not rushing — just there.” Liu is not describing a pet or a person, but an artificial intelligence companion toy — a quietly rising product category built for long-term companionship. Designed to grow over time, these devices learn users’ habits and emotions, offering a steady sense of presence in moments of loneliness.…
By Eng. Kipkemoi Kibias On January 26 every year, the world observes the International Day of Clean Energy, established by the United Nations General Assembly to drive clean energy solutions that care for the planet and empower people. The day reflects growing global awareness of energy’s role in mitigating climate change, rising inequality, and economic instability. While fossil fuels have powered industrial growth for over a century, they have also driven greenhouse gas emissions to unsustainable levels. Transitioning to clean energy has emerged as the clearest path to climate safety and economic resilience. The International Day of Clean Energy supports…
With just days into 2026, the tourism sector continues to gain momentum away from the festive season. This is thanks to a rise in cruise ship arrivals, which are playing a major role in the country’s push to reach five million international visitors by 2027. The year started with a bang as the port of Mombasa welcomed the luxury cruise liner Crystal Symphony with over 600 tourists and 400 crew members on board. The 31-year-old Bahamas-flagged ship which is moving from South Africa made a 48-hour stopover in Mombasa before it continues on to India. According to June Chepkemei, Kenya…
By Eng. Kipkemoi Kibias Electricity is often spoken about in terms of megawatts, power lines and sub-stations. Yet for millions of Kenyans, its true value is felt not in technical terms, but in lives saved, businesses sustained, knowledge unlocked, and dignity restored. It is felt in the operating theatre when a life is saved without interruption. It is heard in the hum of a milk chiller preserving a farmer’s produce and in a workshop where young people earn a living instead of drifting into despair. The completion of the Lessos–Kabarnet Transmission Line by the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) is…
By Sharon Nakola, China Daily When Kenyan comedian and digital content creator Lawrence Mwangi Macharia — who goes by his stage name Terence Creative — took his seat in a modest theater in Central China’s Hunan province, he expected a simple cultural performance. Instead, he found himself absorbed in a multisensory display, with dancers, digital projections, music and lighting merging in flawless coordination. The performance, he said, revealed “a different level of artistic precision” and came to define a weeklong cultural tour of China undertaken by four Kenyan celebrities. For Terence, the experience offered a glimpse into China’s sophisticated blend…
